Big Sky predictions 9/2 and 9/4
Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 8:45 pm
Finally football is here after a long offseason. This weekend is the start for Big Sky play. EWU and NAU get the season going by playing on Thursday, which is why I did the predictions today. Last season, Scream and myself waged a pretty intense battle (I believe I got him by one game) and I hope we can do it again this year (with the same result, of course). I use the scoreboard abbreviations for all Big Sky schools, with the exception of Sacramento State, which I shorten to Sac State. The other schools are spelled out. That said, here are my predictions for the first weekend of Big Sky play. All are non-conference games, either DI or DII (not even FCS vs FCS in the Big Sky). All are my opinion and all are open for discussion. Hoping for a perfect week...
EWU at Nevada---The Mitchell era begins at EWU with at trip to Reno to face the Wolfpack of Nevada. While the Eagles have high expectations, Nevada has lofty goals as well as they hope to contend with Boise State for the WAC title before the Broncos flee for the Mountain West. EWU may be able to score and there may be some great plays here and there, but during the course of the game...Nevada 41, EWU 20.
Montana-Western at ISU---Something exciting for Bengal nation coming into this season. The Bengals won their last game of the year last year which means for the whole offseason, they had a one game winning streak. A long time to wait for a chance to extend it to two. A great chance to continue as they face NAIA Montana-Western at home to start the year. Make it two...ISU 35, Montana-Western 10.
Western State at UM---Some things are different at Montana. Hauck is gone, Mariani is gone, Schillinger is gone, all replaced by capable personnel. Yet some things are the same at Montana. Reynolds is back, Selle is back, Johnson is back. Also, the opening opponent and venue is still the same, as the Griz welcome back DII Western State. Different result? No, some things remain the same...Montana 38, Western State 0.
Fort Lewis at MSU---The Bobcats start the year with some dings and minor aches and pains, but nowhere near the MASH unit that occurred at the start of last year. A great season could be in the works and it all starts with a home opener against DII Fort Lewis. This should be easier than Michigan State last year, as long as no one brings up Chadron State...MSU 41, Fort Lewis 7.
Western New Mexico at NAU---The Jacks still have Herrick back, but lost some big parts of the puzzle on offense. What better way to get Herrick accustomed to the newcomers than to play DII Western New Mexico in first game. This should not be a tough game, that is saved for week 2. The nightmare of the swoon late in the season last year is gone, this is a new year...NAU 35, Western New Mexico 3.
Adams State at UNC---Times have been rough for the Bears since moving up to the FCS. One conference win and not many more out of conference wins to show. Is this the year to put it all behind? Adams State is definitely not Kansas, nor is it Purdue, nor Hawaii, nor even UC-Davis. Unlike other openers, that means this is a good way to start...UNC 31, Adams State 10.
PSU at Arizona State---The first of two trips to the Pac-10 for the Vikings and what is widely assumed to be the easier of the two. Does that mean that new coach Burton could have the Vikings so pumped up and ready that they can pull off the upset in the desert? Can they do it with the uncertainty at the quarterback and the new offense and defense installed? Can they come home victorious? Only if the Sun Devils forget when the game begins...Arizona State 41, PSU 14.
Sac State at Stanford---Just like Portland State, the Hornets also step up to the Pac-10 when they head over to the Bay Area to take on Stanford. People are expecting great things from the Hornets, so much that some think they have a shot in this game. However, unlike Portland State's opponent (Arizona State), Stanford has a pretty darn good team, too. So much that an upset just isn't likely, even in this game...Stanford 38, Sac State 17.
WSU at Boston College---Most out of conference games in the Big Sky are generally with our western FBS cohorts, as it gives our boosters an opportunity to watch us step up. The Wildcats are bucking that trend as they head across the country and play ACC Boston College. There is a bunch of talent returning for the Wildcats but it's a whole different world out there...Boston College 35, WSU 10.
EWU at Nevada---The Mitchell era begins at EWU with at trip to Reno to face the Wolfpack of Nevada. While the Eagles have high expectations, Nevada has lofty goals as well as they hope to contend with Boise State for the WAC title before the Broncos flee for the Mountain West. EWU may be able to score and there may be some great plays here and there, but during the course of the game...Nevada 41, EWU 20.
Montana-Western at ISU---Something exciting for Bengal nation coming into this season. The Bengals won their last game of the year last year which means for the whole offseason, they had a one game winning streak. A long time to wait for a chance to extend it to two. A great chance to continue as they face NAIA Montana-Western at home to start the year. Make it two...ISU 35, Montana-Western 10.
Western State at UM---Some things are different at Montana. Hauck is gone, Mariani is gone, Schillinger is gone, all replaced by capable personnel. Yet some things are the same at Montana. Reynolds is back, Selle is back, Johnson is back. Also, the opening opponent and venue is still the same, as the Griz welcome back DII Western State. Different result? No, some things remain the same...Montana 38, Western State 0.
Fort Lewis at MSU---The Bobcats start the year with some dings and minor aches and pains, but nowhere near the MASH unit that occurred at the start of last year. A great season could be in the works and it all starts with a home opener against DII Fort Lewis. This should be easier than Michigan State last year, as long as no one brings up Chadron State...MSU 41, Fort Lewis 7.
Western New Mexico at NAU---The Jacks still have Herrick back, but lost some big parts of the puzzle on offense. What better way to get Herrick accustomed to the newcomers than to play DII Western New Mexico in first game. This should not be a tough game, that is saved for week 2. The nightmare of the swoon late in the season last year is gone, this is a new year...NAU 35, Western New Mexico 3.
Adams State at UNC---Times have been rough for the Bears since moving up to the FCS. One conference win and not many more out of conference wins to show. Is this the year to put it all behind? Adams State is definitely not Kansas, nor is it Purdue, nor Hawaii, nor even UC-Davis. Unlike other openers, that means this is a good way to start...UNC 31, Adams State 10.
PSU at Arizona State---The first of two trips to the Pac-10 for the Vikings and what is widely assumed to be the easier of the two. Does that mean that new coach Burton could have the Vikings so pumped up and ready that they can pull off the upset in the desert? Can they do it with the uncertainty at the quarterback and the new offense and defense installed? Can they come home victorious? Only if the Sun Devils forget when the game begins...Arizona State 41, PSU 14.
Sac State at Stanford---Just like Portland State, the Hornets also step up to the Pac-10 when they head over to the Bay Area to take on Stanford. People are expecting great things from the Hornets, so much that some think they have a shot in this game. However, unlike Portland State's opponent (Arizona State), Stanford has a pretty darn good team, too. So much that an upset just isn't likely, even in this game...Stanford 38, Sac State 17.
WSU at Boston College---Most out of conference games in the Big Sky are generally with our western FBS cohorts, as it gives our boosters an opportunity to watch us step up. The Wildcats are bucking that trend as they head across the country and play ACC Boston College. There is a bunch of talent returning for the Wildcats but it's a whole different world out there...Boston College 35, WSU 10.
